FIA WEC

Toyota Storm To Silverstone FIA WEC Pole Position

1 Mins read

Toyota Racing took the upper hand as the FIA World Endurance Championship kicked off its first weekend of the year at Silverstone as the #7 Toyota TS040 Hybrid of Kazuki Nakajima, Alex Wurz and Stephane Sarrazin took a stunning pole position.

It was a narrow pole position as the #1 Audi of Tom Kristensen, Loic Duval and Lucas Di Grassi finished just 0.005 seconds behind while the #14 Porsche 919 Hybrid took an impressive third place on its debut qualifying performance.

Joining Porsche on the second row of the gris is the #2 Audi of Benoit Treluyer, Andre Lotter and Marcel Fassler, ahead of the #8 Toyota and #6 Porsche.

Rebellion Racing put in an impressive performance in their Lola B12/60 – Toyotas as they finished the session within 1.5 seconds of the pole-sitting Toyota.

LMP2 saw top honours fall to the G-Drive Racing #26 Morgan – Nissan ahead of the #47 KCMG car which was 0.283 seconds behind. The other two cars of the depleted LMP2 grid, the SMP Racing Oreca – Nissans struggled throughout the session and would finish more than two seconds behind the class pole sitting Morgan.

Both GTE-Pro and GTE-Am classes were dominated by the AF Corse Ferrari’s with Toni Vilander and Gianamaria Bruni taking top honours ahead of the #91 Porsche Team Manthey 911 RSR of Patrick Pilet and Nick Tandy by 0.255 seconds.

The #92 Porsche and the #71 AF Corse entry make up the second row of the Pro grid while a struggling Aston Martin Racing team could only manage fifth in class with a time which was slower than the leading GTE-Am car.

The RAM Racing Ferrari makes up the third row of the GTE-Pro grid while Craft-Bamboo Racing finished in a disappointing seventh place on their debut.

Michele Rugolo and Marco Cioci lead the way in the GTE-Am class with a time of 1:59.932, nearly one-second clear of the rest of the field. The #98 Aston Martin joins the Ferrari on the front row of the class followed by the #61 AF Corse Ferrari.

The only incident of the session saw the #53 Ram Racing Ferrari of Ben Collins spin on his out lap, before going on to qualify seventh in class.

Avatar photo
3034 posts

About author
Founder and Editor-In-Chief of The Checkered Flag who grew up visiting race circuits around the UK also a freelance motorsport PR officer. Outside of motorsport a lover of music, photography, NBA and NFL.
Articles
Related posts
British GTBTCCFeaturesFIA WECFIA World Rally ChampionshipFIA World RallycrossFormula 1Porsche Carrera Cup GBPorsche Mobil 1 Supercup

A Farewell Message from The Checkered Flag

4 Mins read
After 15 years of motorsport coverage, TheCheckeredFlag.co.uk announces its closure. What began as a passion project in 2009 grew into a respected voice in motorsport journalism. Thank you for being part of this journey.
FIA WEC

Mick Schumacher: "We're heading in the right direction, and we want more."

3 Mins read
Following a superb maiden podium in the 2024 FIA WEC, Mick Schumacher and Alpine Endurance Team are hungry for more.
FIA WEC

Valentino Rossi: "We Are So Happy"

3 Mins read
The BMW M Team WRT squad have their say on a superb weekend at Fuji in the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship.